Behind The Shield

Bryce Hansen is a former Green Beret, artist and part of the Human Performance Project team. We discuss his journey into the military, commonalities with the world's warriors, the art of diplomacy, leadership, his powerful mental health story, the incredible healing power of plant medicine, 7x, healing through art and so much more

Dr Belisa Vranich is a clinical psychologist and renowned breath coach. Bas Rutten is a legendary MMA champion and the founder of the O2 Trainer. We discuss the importance of respiratory strength to combat disease, breath and the nervous system, the impact of protective equipment on ventilation, their latest program "Breathing for Warriors: MMA and so much more.

Gary Hayes is a former British football player, veteran, police officer and the man behind PTSD 999. We discuss his journey into football, being the victim of two sexual predators, joining the Green Jackets, being assigned to the morgue after the 2005 London bombings, his own powerful mental health story, his non-profit and so much more.

Raphael Port is a Brazilian native, American firefighter and US Navy Reserve Corpsman. We discuss growing up in São Paolo, his journey into law enforcement, transitioning to the Brazilian fire service, his immigration story, triathalons, leadership, service, mental health and so much more.

Sachin Latti is a member of a long lineage of Indian warriors, serving himself in The Canada Border Services Agency. We discuss his warfighter ancestors, his immigration story, jiujitsu, his powerful mental health story, finding running, his 2025 record attempt to run across Canada and much more.

Dr. Carpenter is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years experience in screening, diagnosing, and treating substance abusing and dependent individuals. We discuss his journey into psychology, his experience with Vietnam veterans, addiction, communicating with a loved one who is struggling, the incredible workbook he just released "The Beyond Addiction Workbook for Family & Friends" and so much more.

Manny Vega is a Marine, retired police officer and a Gold Star father. We discuss his childhood trauma at the hands of a catholic priest, his journey into the Marines, violence, addiction, the Rampart scandal, the loss of his son, the Feres Doctrine and so much more.

Tom Synan is a Police Chief, Tedx speaker and mental health advocate. We discuss his journey into the military, Ohio's opioid crisis, mental health and addiction, the war on drugs, mentorship, compassion, the psychology behind mass shootings, his County's proactive coalition and so much more.

Steve Chikerotis is a retired Chicago Deputy District Chief, author, teacher and the man behind "Chicago Fire". We discuss the childhood mentors that forged his success, boxing, the inability to save, firefighter fitness, mental health, leadership, grief and so much more.

Dr Kate Pate is a neurophysiologist and the founder of "The Way Back". We discuss childhood trauma, eating disorders, traumatic brain injury, combat casualty care, the power of breath, sleep deprivation and mental health, human performance and much more.

Ash Cooper is a former youth choirboy, Gurkha officer, pilot and specialist military unit commander. We discuss his journey into music, joining the military, the heroism of the Gurkhas, the horrors of war, altruism on the battlefield, mental health, his non-profit The Unsung Foundation and much more.

Jo Patti Munisteri is a combat analyst, author, dancer and hollistic medicine practitioner. We discuss her unique childhood, the power of travel, working with the military, indigenous populations, herbal medicine, fostering resilience, her latest book "Travelling off the X" and so much more.

Leif Babin is a former Navy SEAL, author and co-founder of Echelon Front. We discuss his childhood in Texas, the Native American community, his journey into the Navy, leadership in the first responder professions, the fallacy of an "overnight success", transition and so much more.

Brooke Bartlett is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the founder of The Center for Trauma, Anxiety and Stress. We discuss her journey into psychology, youth athletes, her work in the VA, working with the tacical professions, the unique challenges facing wildland firefighters, post traumatic growth and so much more.

Chad Conley is an active Green Beret and the founder of "50 for the Fallen". We discuss his journey into Army Special Forces, the importance of leadership, the horrors of war, mental health, community through shared suffering, his latest fundraiser in Hawaii and so much more.

Paul Maleary is a retired Essex Police Officer, television personality and the founder of Ex Job. We discuss his journey into law enforcement, community policing, gun crime in the UK, the Rettendon murders, transitioning out of the first responder professions, his new podcast Ex Job Downloaded and much more.

Craig Gile is a former fighter pilot, entrepreneur and co-founder of Cool Mitt. Joe Bielitzki is the Chief Veterinary Officer for NASA and former researcher for DARPA. We discuss veterinary medicine, challenging innovation, 9/11, exogenous ketones, cooling the tactical athlete, sending animals to space and so much more.

Jamie Metcalf is the widow of Navy SEAL veteran David Metcalf and co-founder of the David Metcalf Foundation with Shannon Finn Connell. We discuss Filipino culture, China's diversity, their love story, traumatic brain injury, David's tragic mental health story, the genesis of their non-profit, brain research, the Human Performance Project and much more.

Raul Martinez is both an Army and law enforcement veteran and the founder of Rogue Methods. We discuss his journey into the military, compassion on the battlefield, working specialty units in Chicago PD, Arizona, defensive tactics, civilian weapons training, jiu-jitsu and so much more.

James Norris is an athlete, author and the founder of Handi Capable Fitness. We discuss the medical malpractice that led to his cerebal palsy, navigating childhood with CP, his career in radio, the gym mentor who challenged the way he saw himself, the genesis of his non-profit, his new book and so much more.